Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 8 The Twelve Families of Longxi, the Emperor Emeritus's Expectations!

Watching the group leave, Jia Yan felt a surge of emotion; Jia Jing's support was greater than he had imagined.

The group included young men and strong men from Longxi, warhorses, and descendants of the Twelve Generals. They also brought 200,000 taels of silver, not in cash, but in banknotes issued by major banks in the capital, which were easy to withdraw and would not attract attention.

The winds on the grasslands have probably already picked up; with the right time, place, and people all in place, he has already succeeded more than halfway in what he is about to do.

"System, initiate upgrade!"

Jia Yan selected the entry "Sons of Dukes and Marquises (Blue)" and silently recited it in his mind.

'Whoosh!'

A dazzling golden light appeared, and once again, the golden keyword appeared.

[Zhaolie Reborn (Gold)]: Blessed by Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han, his personal charisma is off the charts, his success rate in recruiting talent is 100%, and his loyalty is increased by 150%.

"stable!"

Upon seeing this entry, Jia Yan couldn't hide his joy. This meant he no longer needed to worry about the loyalty of his subordinates, and those he favored would surely be convinced of his loyalty, further solidifying his foundation.

A corner of the imperial city, the Daming Palace.

Sunlight streamed through the heavy curtains, illuminating the floor tiles of the palace. The figure leaning on the dragon throne was growing increasingly hunched, his temples graying, his face wrinkled. The former emperor had entered his twilight years, enveloped in an aura of decline.

"Tap tap!"

Light footsteps broke the silence in the hall, and a eunuch dressed in a bright red python robe hurried in.

Emperor Shunkang raised his head, a strange light flashing in his cloudy old eyes. Even in his twilight years, he could not conceal the majesty of unifying the four seas and eight wastelands.

"The Great Emperor."

Dai Quan, the chief eunuch of the Daming Palace, bowed respectfully.

"What's the matter?"

With a slight twitch of his eyelids, Emperor Shunkang uttered two words.

"The Hidden Dragon Guard reports that there have been quite a few more people at Ningguo Prefecture recently."

"Are you from Longxi?"

Emperor Shunkang looked down at Dai Quan from his high position, and an indescribable sense of oppression enveloped the palace.

"Yes."

Dai Quan answered meticulously, "The most outstanding disciples from the twelve families of Longxi have all arrived."

"oh???"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Shunkang narrowed his eyes, his voice devoid of any warmth: "He has been hiding for so many years, why would he be willing to show himself?"

"Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus."

"The Hidden Dragon Guard overlooked one thing."

“In the Ningguo Mansion, someone went to Xuanzhen Temple before the New Year; it was Jia Jing’s youngest son.”

"The child?"

Emperor Shunkang's eyes showed a thoughtful expression as he said, "If I remember correctly, he should be approaching the age of 'dancing elephants' (a metaphor for adulthood).

"What was it called again? I don't really remember it."

The Jia family, with two dukes, has always been a target of surveillance by the imperial family. Members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Hidden Dragon Guard, and even the Blood Droplets have infiltrated both mansions.

Logically, everything that happened in the two mansions should have been reported, but there was not much coverage of Jia Yan, and it could even be said that he was little known.

"The Great Emperor."

Standing at the lower end, Dai Quan said helplessly, "That child's name is Jia Yan, and he is indeed unknown to most people."

“Aside from the Jia family’s year-end grand ceremony, he has not made any other appearances. I’m afraid no one in the Jia family even remembers him.”

'Thump!'

A faint smile appeared on Emperor Shunkang's aged face as he recalled, "Just like his mannerisms."

"The Jia family's prodigy is a master strategist. Back then, he and Jia Enhou, one a scholar and the other a warrior, assisted the Crown Prince, and were praised by everyone in the court and the public."

"He has been hidden for fifteen years, and now he has twelve families from Longxi following him. It seems that this boy is the family head he has chosen."

"I've actually become quite interested in Jia Yan."

"Your Majesty, that..." Dai Quan seemed to want to say something.

"No need."

Unexpectedly, Emperor Shunkang waved his hand and said gently, "There will be a day when we meet again."

"Jia Jing remained silent for more than ten years, and the Jia family was filthy and disgusting."

"Since he chose his youngest son at this time, he must have made plans for him. Parents who love their children will plan far ahead for them."

"I really want to know if the Jia family can rise up again and become the fourth prince's right-hand man, so as to cure the deep-seated problems of the dynasty."

"Yes."

Dai Quan responded and slowly withdrew from the main hall.

At the same time, in Ning'an Hall of Ningguo Mansion.

"What did you say?"

Jia Zhen looked at You Shi with some surprise.

"My second brother found some martial artists from somewhere to guard the entrances and exits of the backyard and the training ground, and no one is allowed to enter."

“Apart from the days of Awakening of Insects, Grain in Ear, White Dew, and Minor Snow, all the maids, old women, and servants who were supposed to be running around were also chased out.”

"Lai Ergang came to me with these matters, so I came to ask the master for a decision."

With her red lips slightly parted, Lady You recounted the changes that had occurred in the mansion.

"Wu Ren?"

Jia Zhen had some guesses, but wasn't sure, so he asked, "My second brother only has four maids in his courtyard, how is that enough?"

"master."

Yu Shi bit her red lips lightly and replied, "Lai Er came to report that Bai Lu, the head maid who serves my second brother, bought some girls aged thirteen or fourteen from Tongzhou. Most of them are from poor families and have been registered in Shuntian Prefecture. They should be innocent without a doubt."

In fact, Jia Yan's actions had already caused a stir in the Ningguo Mansion. The entire backyard and martial arts training ground had become his private territory, and no one could enter, let alone know what he was doing inside.

"I see."

Although Jia Zhen was a playboy, he knew some of the ways that noble families managed their households, and his methods were no different from those of Jia Yan.

Moreover, those martial artists who appeared out of nowhere are probably related to his adoptive father, and there must be some schemes he is unaware of.

"master."

Lady You's beautiful eyes widened. She had expected Jia Zhen to fly into a rage, but to her surprise, Jia Zhen's expression was so calm. What Jia Yan had done was already a provocation against Jia Zhen, the head of the Ningguo Mansion.

"You don't need to concern yourself with what your second brother does."

"The backyard and the training ground were abandoned places to begin with. If he wants to mess around, let him."

"No one in the manor is allowed to discuss this matter, let alone spread it to the West Mansion."

Jia Zhen solemnly instructed.

"Yes."

Lady You did not understand his meaning, so she had no choice but to do as he said.

"Where is Rong-ge'er?"

"Reporting to your master, the eldest son left the manor at noon and has not returned yet."

The servant boy standing in front of the hall quickly reported this.

"Humph."

"Something that doesn't improve."

Jia Zhen spat, making no attempt to hide his disgust for his own son Jia Rong. He beckoned to the servant and said, "Go to his courtyard and tell Rong's wife that I'm not feeling well."

"Yes, sir."

The servant quickly left Ning'an Hall.

The surrounding maids witnessed this scene, but no one dared to say anything. Even Madam You, the eldest mistress of the East Mansion, turned a blind eye, as Jia Zhen's covetousness of Qin Keqing was nothing new.

PS: The organizations involved include: the Imperial Guard of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Blood Droplets of Emperor Yongping, the Hidden Dragon Guard of Emperor Shunkang, the Black Cloud Army of the Jia family, and the Chess Camp of Prince Yizhong.
(End of this chapter)